UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Expected heavy afternoon snowfall has caused Penn State to cancel scheduled classes and activities on the University Park campus on Nov. 15, beginning with the dismissal of students at 11 a.m. Faculty and non-essential staff will be released 30 minutes after the release of students, at 11:30 a.m.
Normal operations will resume at 5 a.m. on Nov. 16, pending a further review of weather conditions by university officials.
Staggering departure times in this manner helps facilities to remain open until students are able to return to their residence halls or off-campus residences. It also helps to reduce roadway congestion.
Only employees previously identified as performing essential services should stay beyond the official release time, unless advised otherwise by their supervisor. Road conditions are expected to deteriorate as snowfall begins, and employees and students are urged to use caution when traveling.
University officials will continue to monitor the track of the storm and will provide additional updates as necessary.
All employees and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety. Faculty, staff and students should use their own best judgment when considering the need to leave earlier than scheduled departure times during times of inclement weather. Faculty and staff also should review Handling Weather Day Absences (Human Resources Guideline 10) at http://guru.psu.edu/policies/OHR/hrg10.html for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled.
Additional information about University Park weather events is available at https://news.psu.edu/story/545775/2018/11/02/campus-life/when-winter-weather-strikes-resources-university-park-community